Friday, September 14, 2007

Animal research debate set

Should animals be used by UW-Madison researchers? Are they a reliable predictor of diseases and their cures for human beings?

Two highly respected experts on the subject will tackle that issue in a debate sponsored by The Capital Times at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, in the auditorium of the Wisconsin Historical Society building on the UW's Library Mall.

Ray Greek, a retired anesthesiologist, author of three books on the use of animals in human disease and drug research and president of Americans for Medical Advancement, insists that animal research is useless to predict human results.

He will square off with UW-Madison Prof. Eric Sandgren, an animal researcher and chair of two animal research oversight committees on campus, who argues that human medical advances have been made as a result of research using animals.

The debate is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dave Zweifel, editor of The Capital Times, will moderate the debate. After presentations by the debaters, they will answer written questions from the audience.